Integrated Evaluation Framework for Irrigation Development in South India

Abstract

The term engineer is no longer restricted to a technology developer pushing the envelope of productivity, innovation, and efficiency. Instead, engineers are now expected to address global issues while ensuring socially, economically, and environmentally sustainable solutions. In order to meet this demand, engineers need to move away from traditional technology focused development approaches and pursue the role of a ‘global engineer’ with the ability to apply multi-disciplinary skills, understand complex socio-econo-political interactions with technology, and work in cross-cultural environments.This research investigates the multi-disciplinary needs of the engineering community in the development sector, the skills and knowledge required to effectively address limitations of data availability and access, considers social and economical indicators of success, as well as address the engineer operating in a different culture and language. An irrigation scheme in south India was evaluated with social, economical, and technical measurement indicators instead of depending upon a solely technical approach. This approach led to the discovery of more factors influencing the success and failure of the irrigation scheme. With a more holistic evaluation, the potential for a more appropriate design for users; a better strategy for implementers; and the introduction of improved monitoringmechanisms for donors are made possible.